FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — In what could be an ominous sign for the 49ers defense, man-of-steel defensive tackle Justin Smith left late in the third quarter with what was termed an elbow injury in the press box and did not return as the Patriots mounted their furious second-half rally. …

OFFENSE Colin Kaepernick clearly needs work on handling snaps in wet and miserable conditions, but he emerged with a 107.7 rating and the game-winning touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree (107 yards) afte…